Author: c_shofner

Recipes

5 Quick and Easy Dinner Recipes for Busy Weeknights

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Are you tired of eating takeout or frozen meals on busy weeknights? With these quick and easy dinner recipes, you can have a delicious and healthy meal on the table in no time. From one-pot pasta to sheet pan dinners, these recipes are perfect for busy weeknights when you don’t have a lot of time to cook.

Recipe 1: One-Pot Pasta

Photo by Dana Tentis on Pexels.com

Ingredients:

– 8 oz. spaghetti

– 1 can diced tomatoes

– 1 onion, chopped

– 2 cloves garlic, minced

– 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth

– 1 tsp. dried basil

– 1 tsp. dried oregano

– Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, sauté onion and garlic until soft.

2. Add the diced tomatoes, pasta, broth, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper.

3. Bring to a boil and simmer for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally.

4. Serve hot with grated parmesan cheese.

Recipe 2: Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas

Chicken fajitas in a Mexican restaurant by Jakub Kapusnak is licensed under CC-CC0 1.0

Ingredients:

– 1 lb. chicken breast, sliced

– 1 red bell pepper, sliced

– 1 green bell pepper, sliced

– 1 onion, sliced

– 2 tbsp. olive oil

– 1 tsp. chili powder

– 1 tsp. cumin

– Salt and pepper to taste

– Flour tortillas, for serving

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.

2. Toss chicken, peppers, and onions in olive oil, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper.

3. Spread out on a sheet pan and bake for 20-25 minutes, stirring halfway through.

4. Serve hot with warm tortillas.

Recipe 3: Baked Salmon with Lemon and Garlic

Ingredients:

– 4 salmon fillets

– 1 lemon, sliced

– 4 cloves garlic, minced

– 2 tbsp. olive oil

– Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.

2. Place salmon fillets in a baking dish.

3. Top with lemon slices and minced garlic.

4. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.

5. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until salmon is cooked through.

6. Serve hot with steamed vegetables.

Recipe 4: Slow Cooker Beef Stew

Photo by Roy Sloan on Pexels.com

Ingredients:

– 2 lbs. beef stew meat

– 1 onion, chopped

– 3 carrots, peeled and chopped

– 3 potatoes, peeled and chopped

– 2 cups beef broth

– 1 tsp. dried thyme

– Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Place beef, onion, carrots, and potatoes in a slow cooker.

2. Add beef broth, thyme, salt, and pepper.

3. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or until beef is tender.

4. Serve hot with crusty bread.

Recipe 5: Stir-Fry Vegetables with Rice

Ingredients:

– 2 cups cooked rice

– 1 cup mixed vegetables (broccoli, carrots, snow peas)

– 2 tbsp. soy sauce

– 1 tsp. honey

– 1 tsp. sesame oil

– Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Heat a wok or large skillet over high heat.

2. Add vegetables and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes, or until tender.

3. In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, sesame oil, salt, and pepper.

4. Add cooked rice and sauce to the wok and stir-fry for 1-2 minutes.

5. Serve hot.

With these quick and easy dinner recipes, you can have a delicious and healthy meal on the table in no time. These recipes are perfect for busy weeknights when you don’t have a lot of time to cook. Try them out and enjoy a stress-free dinner with your family.

Education

“Better Together: How Teachers Can Build Stronger Relationships and Improve Their Practice”

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As a teacher, you know how challenging and rewarding this profession can be. You also know that, in order to be successful, you need to be constantly learning, growing, and adapting to new situations.

Supporting each other means creating a network of teachers who can share their experiences, expertise, and resources. It is a powerful tool that can help teachers to overcome challenges, improve their teaching strategies, and enhance student learning. When teachers support each other, they can build a sense of community and create a positive work environment. This can lead to increased teacher morale, job satisfaction, and retention.

One of the benefits of teachers supporting each other is the ability to share best practices. Teachers can learn from each other and adapt successful teaching strategies to their own classrooms. This can help in improving student outcomes and creating a more engaging and interactive learning environment.

Supporting each other can also help in reducing stress and burnout among teachers. Teaching can be a stressful profession, and having a supportive network can help teachers to cope with the challenges they face. By sharing their experiences and challenges, teachers can feel more connected and supported, which can lead to better mental health and well-being.

In addition, supporting each other can help in creating a culture of continuous learning. Teachers can attend professional development sessions together, share resources, and collaborate on lesson plans. This can help in improving teaching strategies and enhancing student learning.

Finally, supporting each other can help in creating a sense of community among teachers. When teachers support each other, they can build relationships and trust, which can help in creating a positive and supportive work environment. This can lead to increased collaboration, communication, and teamwork, which can ultimately lead to better student outcomes.

When I taught 2nd grade, our saying was “Use it, lose it, or help me improve it.” We shared all of our ideas and resources with each other. We didn’t just care about our classroom succeeding, but all students succeeding in our grade and school. So, whether you’re sharing resources, offering feedback, collaborating on projects, providing encouragement, or mentoring a new teacher, remember that teachers supporting teachers is key to building a strong, supportive, and effective education community.

Education

Becoming Investigators

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As a teacher, you’re always looking for creative and engaging ways to inspire your students. One of my favorite units to teach in 2nd grade was our mystery unit.  It’s such a great way to teach inference and predictions.  One fun and challenging activity you can try is creating a mystery that can only be solved by finding hidden clues in several passages. Here’s how you can set it up:

1. Choose a theme and create a story

First, choose a theme for your mystery. It could be anything from a missing artifact to a stolen recipe. Once you have a theme, create a story that incorporates it. Your story should be broken up into several passages that will be given to your students to read.

2. Hide clues in each passage

Next, hide clues in each passage that will help your students solve the mystery. These clues could be anything from a word that is underlined in the text to a symbol that is hidden in the margins. Be creative and make the clues challenging but not impossible to find.

3. Assign reward points for each clue

To add an extra layer of excitement, assign reward points for each clue that your students find. For example, the first clue might be worth 10 points, the second clue might be worth 20 points, and so on. At the end of the activity, the student with the most points wins a prize.

4. Watch your students become investigators

Once you have everything set up, distribute the passages to your students and watch as they become investigators, searching for clues to solve the mystery. Encourage them to work together and share their findings with each other. You can even create a leaderboard to track their progress and add to the excitement.

Creating a mystery with hidden clues is a fun and challenging activity that can inspire your students to become investigators. By assigning reward points for each clue, you can add an extra layer of excitement and encourage your students to work together. Give it a try and watch your students become engaged and motivated learners!

Life

Dealing with Grief

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Losing a mother is an incredibly difficult experience that can leave you feeling lost, overwhelmed, and alone. In 2018, I lost my mom to metastatic breast cancer and in 2022, I lost my mother in law to bone cancer.  Both have left a big hole in my heart.  

Losing a parent means you’ve  joined a club —one you never wanted to be in. No one ever wants to join the “I lost a parent” club. I wasn’t okay at the time, and I still don’t think I am. I probably never will be “okay” again, but that’s alright. It’s okay not to be okay. This is something I will never get over…losing a parent is something that changes you. Nobody will understand what you are going through unless they go through something similar. It’s okay to have angry days, sad days, and even days when you don’t want to see anyone.

Grief is a natural and normal response to loss, but it can feel overwhelming and difficult to manage. Whether you’re dealing with the loss of a loved one, a job, or a relationship, it’s important to take care of yourself and seek support as you navigate the grieving process. In this blog post, we’ll explore some tips for dealing with grief.

1. Allow yourself to feel your emotions

One of the most important things you can do when dealing with grief is to allow yourself to feel your emotions. This may include sadness, anger, guilt, or a range of other feelings. It’s okay to cry, to express your emotions, and to take the time you need to process your feelings.

2. Reach out for support

Dealing with grief can be a lonely experience, but it’s important to remember that you don’t have to go through it alone. Reach out to friends, family, or a mental health professional for support. Talking about your feelings and experiences can help you process your grief and feel less isolated.

3. Take care of yourself

Dealing with grief can be emotionally and physically exhausting, so it’s important to take care of yourself during this time. This may include getting enough sleep, eating well, exercising, and engaging in activities that bring you joy and comfort.

4. Create a ritual or memorial

Creating a ritual or memorial can be a meaningful way to honor the person or thing you’ve lost. This may include lighting a candle, planting a tree, or creating a scrapbook or photo album. A ritual or memorial can help you feel a sense of closure and provide a way to remember and honor your loss.

5. Be patient with yourself

Dealing with grief is a process, and it’s important to be patient with yourself as you navigate this journey. Healing takes time, and it’s okay to take things one day at a time. Remember that there is no right or wrong way to grieve, and everyone’s experience is unique.

Dealing with grief can be a difficult and challenging experience, but there are things you can do to take care of yourself and find healing. By allowing yourself to feel your emotions, reaching out for support, taking care of yourself, creating a ritual or memorial, and being patient with yourself, you can navigate the grieving process and find a way to move forward. Remember that you are not alone, and there is hope for healing and recovery.

Education

Tips and Tricks for New Teachers

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Starting a new teaching job can be both exciting and overwhelming. As a new teacher, you may feel unprepared or uncertain about how to navigate your new role. In this blog post, we’ll explore some tips and tricks for new teachers to help you navigate your first year and beyond.

1. Build Relationships with Your Students

Building relationships with your students is one of the most important things you can do as a teacher. Take the time to get to know your students and show that you care about their well-being and success. This can help to create a positive classroom environment and encourage student engagement and motivation.

2. Establish Clear Expectations

Establishing clear expectations is crucial for effective classroom management. Make sure that your expectations are communicated clearly and consistently, and be sure to reinforce them throughout the year. This can help to create a sense of structure and routine in the classroom, which can be comforting for students.

3. Be Prepared

Being prepared is key to success as a new teacher. Make sure that you have all of the materials and resources you need for each lesson, and be sure to plan ahead for any potential issues or challenges that may arise. This can help to reduce stress and make your teaching experience more enjoyable and rewarding.

4. Seek Feedback and Support

Don’t be afraid to seek feedback and support from your colleagues, mentors, and supervisors. This can help you to identify areas for improvement and develop strategies for overcoming challenges. Joining a professional organization or attending conferences can also be helpful for networking and professional development.

5. Practice Self-Care

Teaching can be a demanding and stressful job, so it’s important to practice self-care. Make sure to take breaks and prioritize your own well-being, both inside and outside of the classroom. This can help to prevent burnout and ensure that you’re able to provide your students with the best possible learning experience.

In Summary

Starting a new teaching job can be challenging, but with the right mindset and strategies, you can succeed and thrive. By building relationships with your students, establishing clear expectations, being prepared, seeking feedback and support, and practicing self-care, you can create a positive and rewarding teaching experience for yourself and your students.

Education

“Mastering the Art of Classroom Management: Strategies for a Productive Learning Environment”

c_shofner

As a teacher, classroom management is one of the most important aspects of your job. It can make or break the success of your classroom, and can greatly impact student learning and engagement. In this blog post, we’ll explore some key tips and strategies for effective classroom management.

Establish Clear Expectations

One of the most important things you can do as a teacher is to establish clear expectations for your students. This includes everything from expected behavior and participation, to homework and assignment deadlines. Make sure your expectations are communicated clearly and consistently, and be sure to reinforce them throughout the year.

Create a Positive Classroom Environment

Creating a positive classroom environment is also crucial to effective classroom management. Make sure that your classroom is welcoming, comfortable, and free from distractions. Encourage positive interactions and collaboration among your students, and make sure that everyone feels valued and respected.

Use Positive Reinforcement

Positive reinforcement is a powerful tool in classroom management. Praising students for good behavior, effort, and achievement can help to motivate them and build their confidence. Consider implementing a reward system for students who consistently meet or exceed your expectations.

Be Consistent

Consistency is key in classroom management. Make sure that your expectations and consequences are consistent across all students and situations. If you’re inconsistent, students may feel confused or unfairly treated. Consistency also helps to establish a sense of structure and routine in the classroom, which can be comforting for students.

Use Consequences Effectively

Consequences are an important part of classroom management, but they should be used carefully and strategically. Make sure that your consequences are appropriate for the situation and that they align with your expectations. Avoid using consequences that are overly harsh or punitive, as these can be counterproductive and may even lead to resentment or hostility among students.

In Summary

Effective classroom management is essential for student success and engagement. By establishing clear expectations, creating a positive classroom environment, using positive reinforcement, being consistent, and using consequences effectively, you can create a classroom that is productive, engaging, and enjoyable for everyone involved.